In it, IBM CEO Virginia Rometty is instructing IBM Japan’s Martin Jetter to begin a restructuring (layoff) of IBM Japan workers. Jetter’s cartoon character is suggesting to himself that this will be “easy” because of his (unenlightened) understanding of Japanese labor law. (The point the union is making is that he is obviously running afoul of Japanese labor law.)

If the union were being fed the same story that Paul Hastings has been giving Judge Seibel, there would be no Ginni Rometty instructing Martin Jetter at all. In fact, in that alternative reality, Mr. Jetter just appears in Japan and is simultaneously hired by IBM Japan to be their new chief . . .